The question then becomes: what now? Following salvation, which inaugurates and depends upon regeneration of the believer, the believer is commanded to continue in seeking after God. This is the essence of discipleship as well as sanctification. For as the believer seeks after God and studies His Holy Word, His mind is renewed and transformed so that he/she may be able to discern what is the Will of God.
But there is another, weightier aspect of Christian sanctification that should not be neglected for the pursuit of His Word: love. Love is the essence of the Gospel of Christ Jesus. And as we are redeemed by that Gospel and the Word of Christ begins to dwell in us all the more, we find in us a distinct call to love. But who should we love?
The easy answer to the above question is everyone. Christians who, by definition and nature, have been spiritually blessed with a new heart, a new mind, and a life that is led by the Spirit of God and not by their former fleshly nature, are called to love, especially those whom God has loved, aka. Christians.
This is far-from a merely dogmatic assertion towards the importance of love. No, this is a practical, actual, self-sacrificial love that all Christians are to exhibit as an outpouring of the Holy Spirit indwelling in their hearts. The essence of this discourse is, then, exhortation. We, as believers in the True and Living God, are to love as He has loved us. Not only because He has commanded us to do so, but for in loving form the supplies of God's indwelling Holy Spirit, we will be flowing in the Holy Spirit in the highest degree. What could be more beautiful or desirable? Let us then seek out opportunities to love and to sieze them!
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